"You're ready?"

"Yep."

"Sure? Because your voice just went really high-pitched."

"One-hundred percent ready to admit to my sister that I struggle to control myself when it comes to drinking, and I didn't tell her until now which means she'll be angry and you'd be surprised to know that Kara can be really scary-"

"Alex," Maggie grabbed shaky, sweaty hands, "Calm down, this may seem like the worst thing ever right now, but trust me, you will be so relieved afterwards. Now, are you sure you want me here for this?"

The question was asked as they stood in the middle of Kara's apartment, the woman herself not present because of a busy day at Catco and as Supergirl. This had made Alex's plans even harder, leading her to the D.E.O to talk to J'onn before even being able to confide in her sister. The director's reaction was understanding, but firm. The job was the cause but also a cure, so Alex's duties were to be lighter and more flexible but still full-time. "Think of it as sporadic personal leave.", J'onn had said.

It was dark again by the time Alex and Maggie got a call from Kara, saying she'd meet them at her apartment with food - not that Alex had the appetite. After fifteen minutes of anxious waiting, there was still no Kara.

Alex nodded with hesitation, "I think it will help. It will be fine, you're right. I just need to get a-"

Drink.

The agent froze two steps towards the kitchen where she knew there would be the cold beverage that she craved. She closed her eyes against the urge and the guilt for even thinking of reaching for a drink when she had Maggie at her side. Alex felt a tug at her arm and turned to look into the proud, shining eyes of her girlfriend.

"Hey, it's great that you stopped yourself," Maggie reassured, "You're only at the start of this journey."

"What journey?"

Kara entered the apartment after having stealthily opening the door without either of the women hearing the sound of the keys. She held two boxes in her arms and, by the way she spoke with her mouthful, it was clear that the potstickers had been irresistible.

"Alex? A journey? I heard you from the corridor. Are you guys going somewhere? Because you don't need my permission," Kara continued, dropping all of the food on the counter and heading to the fridge. An arm reached in and pulled out a bottle of red wine, "Drink?"

Alarm flashed across Alex's features and she looked at Maggie for help. In return, she got a squeeze of the hand and six strong words.

"Kara loves you. No matter what."

Having heard Maggie's reassurance to Alex, Kara's curiosity and concern increased and she swallowed her bite of pizza.

"Is everything okay, Alex? Scrap that, I know it isn't. Talk to me," Kara insisted, moving to stand in front of her sister, "You're my best friend, my sister. I don't care what it is."

Overwhelmed by the support and love that was almost radiating off her sister, Alex began to talk, "I-I know that I said to you, all those years ago, that I would never go back to drinking and-and all that other stuff again. But recently I've been drinking. Too much. So much that I need help because I'm struggling to concentrate while talking to you just because there's a bottle of red on the counter," Maggie swiftly removed the bottle from Alex's sight, getting a thankful glance in return, "Kara, I just need to know that you can be an amazing person, as you are, and stick with me when I get stupid."

Alex released the breath she'd been holding throughout her small speech. It was all or nothing now. Either Kara would be completely disappointed or she wouldn't.

"Oh, Alex…"

Kara hated her.

"Of course I'll be that person."

Wait.

What?

The next thing Alex registered was Kara's strong, stable embrace, showing her that if her words weren't enough, then her actions would be. The agent cherished the feeling for as long as she could but…

"I love you for this, Kara, but I think I can hear my bones creaking."

Kara released straight away, looking apologetic, before returning to the boxes of food and gesturing to the couch with them in hand.

"Let's sit."

Alex and Maggie followed Kara across the apartment and sat on the couch while Kara curled up on the chair opposite. She offered them a slice of pizza each - Alex taking two while shaking her head - then settling back and pursuing her mission to empty each box.

Alex felt a pressure on her leg and turned her head to see Maggie looking intently into her eyes, "You good?"

"Yeah," Alex half-smiled and placed her hand over the one on her leg, "Thank you."

Silence then came with their eating and it wasn't uncomfortable, but Alex could feel her sister's glances sweeping over her.

"Kara, I know you have questions. I can see it in your face. Please just ask."

Kara looked sheepish at her own lack of stealth and sighed, "I'm not disappointed in you. Or even upset that you confided in Maggie before me because, let's face it, things have changed in the past year. But how did it change so much that I didn't notice you relying on whiskey more than us?" she asked, gesturing to herself and Maggie.

Alex bit her lip and glanced down, "I don't think there was any one event, I just- I just got sad and drinking was normal and even though I knew it wasn't right, I thought that- to put that burden on you guys would just not be fair."

Maggie heard the word 'burden' and knew she had to step in before Alex began to descend a spiral of doubt. She reached out a hand to turn Alex's face towards her, giving her no choice but to look into open, honest eyes.

"Danvers, I thought you knew by now, the only burden you have is us and that is because we love you. It's been months since we said no more pushing feelings down. Let's not start again now, yeah?" Maggie finished, leaning back and catching a glimpse of Kara's beaming and agreeing face.

"Of course." Alex said, slightly overwhelmed, then closing the small gap between herself and Maggie to capture her girlfriend's lips in a deep kiss.

A deep, prolonged kiss.

"Guys," Kara whined, throwing her arms over her head, "I'm still here, right here, in this room!"

Maggie waved a hand vaguely in Kara's direction and mumbled, "Eat your potstickers."

Kara groaned.

And Alex smiled, because she had the best family that would help her should she need it. For now, she could kiss Maggie, hug her sister and forget about the drink, at least for tonight.

Thanks for reading!